Stoddart joins up with Keys

Cross Keys have pulled off a coup ahead of the new season by signing former Wales international Morgan Stoddart as backs coach.

Morgan is a young coach who is fresh out of the professional game and keen to learn

Stoddart, who won eight caps for Wales scoring five tries, was forced to retire in January after failing to recover from a broken leg.

The full back, who played for the Scarlets, Llanelli RFC, Pontypridd and Treorchy, suffered the injury playing for Wales against England in a warm-up match prior to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Sadly, the injury forced him into retirement though Stoddart can now look forward to a coaching role at Pandy Park under head coach Greg Woods.

Keys missed out on a play-off place last season and Woods is hoping input from the former Wales man can help his side to climb the table.

"Morgan is a young coach who is fresh out of the professional game and keen to learn," he said.

"He is ambitious, wants to progress in the game and will fit in well here. He will learn from the existing coaching team and we will learn from him.

"Morgan is a down to earth character who is ambitious and I am sure the players will respond to someone who was a quality international player only two years ago."

Stoddart's experience in the Premiership should help to guide some of Keys' younger players, his performances at the semi-professional level eventually seeing him earn both regional and international honours.

"If Morgan enjoys half of the success off the field as he did on it then he will be a superb appointment for the club," said Keys secretary Chris Clarke.

"We spoke to an enormous amount of people about filling the role and Morgan stood out as someone who would be an excellent fit to join our existing set-up."

Stoddart is not the only new arrival at Pandy Park.

Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Jevon Groves has been named as assistant forwards coach and will be in charge of the Keys squad at this weekend's Foster's National Sevens.

Actor and Millennium Stadium Tour Guide Gareth Bale has been performing his one-man play about Wales rugby legend Ray Gravell across Wales. He chats to WRU TV before taking his show to the Edinburgh Festival.

After widespread consultation, the WRU has made major changes to its pathway programme for girls rugby with a spring and summer season being introduced with immediate effect in order to respond to a clear demand to play the game.

The Webb Ellis Cup visited Lampeter on Monday to recognise the fact that the town is celebrating a major milestone as it is believed the first ever game of rugby played in Wales, was in fact played in Lampeter 150 years ago.

We cover the big news the 2017 Champions League Final will be coming to the Millennium Stadium, in this week's Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We hear from FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford, First Minister Carwyn Jones and WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis. Wales coach Warren Gatland describes their high altitude training in Switzerland, national match officials manager Nigel Whitehouse talks about the community coaches and referees conference, while we have a special feature on Cardiff Blues U18 girls sevens squad preparing for their first Gemau Cymru, with some help from internationals Elinor Snowsill and Philippa Tuttiett.

Cardiff Blues U18 Girls will go into Sunday's Gemau Cymru with an extra spring in their step after Welsh internationals Elinor Snowsill and Philippa Tuttiett offered some last minute tips at a training session earlier this week.

Rob Howley and Josh Lewsey addressed more than 250 community club coaches and referees at the first WRU National Community Conference on the weekend. The volunteers benefitted from coaching masterclasses and workshops in a bid to connect all levels of the rugby pathway in Wales.

The winners of a filmmaking competition organised by the education charity Into Film and the WRU enjoyed a behind the scenes tour of the Millennium Stadium - and a chance to be photographed with the WRU's fire-breathing, rugby loving mascot, Scorch The Dragon, and Welsh international, Jake Ball.

Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange is proud of his side's effort in against Pontypridd in the Principality Premiership final and as WRU TV's Liz Jones finds out, he's now looking forward to Wales' Under 20 campaign with confidence.

We hear from JPR Williams, Tommy David and all six clubs in SWALEC Finals Day, as well as the first woman to referee a game at the Millennium Stadium, in this week's Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. JPR and David reminisce over the 1979 final, while we hear from Pontypridd, Bridgend, Ystrad Rhondda, Ystradgynlais, Cambrian Welfare and Newcastle Emlyn. Kath Pritchard became the forst Welsh woman to referee a game at the Millennium Stadium - we speak to her and WRU community referee development officer Paul Adams.

All roads lead to Cardiff on Sunday for the SSE SWALEC Finals Day at the Millennium Stadium. Cambrian Welfare tackle Ystradgynlais in the Bowl final, Ystrad Rhondda play Newcastle Emlyn in the Plate final while defending champions Pontypridd face Bridgend in the Cup final.

Foster's 7s champions Llandovery have been drawn against fellow Scarlets regional side Carmarthen Quins in Round One of the third WRU Foster's National 7s, which will take place at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday 30 August.

The Webb Ellis Cup visited Lampeter on Monday to recognise the fact that the town is celebrating a major milestone as it is believed the first ever game of rugby played in Wales, was in fact played in Lampeter 150 years ago.

1

Principality Premiership

Developing the game in Wales and creating a stable and progressive environment for players of the future

2

SWALEC Leagues

Taking the grass roots game out across the length and breadth of the nation, the SWALEC Leagues are the focus of the community rugby in Wales

3

SSE SWALEC Cup

The SSE SWALEC Cup, Plate and Bowl continue the legacy of the WRU Challenge Cup, culminating in a shot at glory at the Millennium Stadium

4

Women's Rugby

Women's Community Rugby embraces both the regional and community club game from Girls' Leagues through to the Women's Premier Division